What solar and battery rebates pay in Nanaimo
We re-read BC Hydro's solar and battery rebate page on October 3, 2026. The battery rebate is higher if you enroll it in Peak Saver. Every rebate is capped at 50% of what you paid.
Solar panels
$1,000 per kW of DC capacity, up to 50% of the installed cost.
Battery with Peak Saver
$500 per kWh, up to 50% of cost. Enroll in Peak Saver within 14 days of the in-service date. Battery-only allowed.
Battery without Peak Saver
Only when paired with solar.
Peak Saver battery reward
One-time bill credit for enrolling, then a seasonal reward each winter you stay in.
Tesla Powerwall
Tesla batteries, inverters and chargers are not eligible for BC Hydro or CleanBC rebates.
How much sun Nanaimo gets
Nanaimo averaged about 3.44 peak sun hours a day from 2020 to 2024, a little sunnier than Vancouver. As a rough guide, a 5 kW system here would make about 5,022 kWh a year, using 3.44 sun hours times 365 days and assuming 80% of the panel rating reaches your panel after losses. Your installer's design for your own roof will be more accurate.
Homes in Nanaimo
The 2021 Census counted 43,165 households in Nanaimo. 51% of Nanaimo households live in a detached house (22,215 homes), and about 67% own. The City of Nanaimo's zero-interest retrofit loan, up to $15,000 over 10 years on your property tax, also covers solar.
Using the City loan with the rebate
The City of Nanaimo loan is up to $15,000 at zero interest, repaid on property tax over 10 years. BC Hydro's rebates come after the system is approved, within 60 days. That means you can use the loan for the up-front cost and the rebate to cut what you owe. Register with the free Home Energy Navigator first.
Battery first: outage backup
A battery stores power for when the grid goes down. The rebate is $500 per kWh, so a 10 kWh battery that cost at least $10,000 can reach $5,000 with Peak Saver. Without Peak Saver, the battery must be paired with solar and the rebate stops at $1,500.
The 50% cap and the order of steps
Every rebate is limited to 50% of the installed cost. You must hire a contractor in the Home Performance Contractor Network and submit a self-generation application to BC Hydro before you install. Wait for technical acceptance. After install, send the final inspection documents and paid invoices. BC Hydro pays within 60 days of approval.
Tesla Powerwall is not eligible
Tesla's Powerwall 2 and 3, Tesla inverters and Tesla chargers are not eligible for BC Hydro or CleanBC rebates. The only exception is an application made before March 12, 2025.
Top-rated installers in Nanaimo
These Nanaimo solar installers have the best Google ratings with enough reviews to trust. Ratings and review counts from Google Maps. Ask each one if they are in the Home Performance Contractor Network.
How to claim it
- Confirm your home is on BC Hydro's grid.
- Hire a Home Performance Contractor Network member.
- Submit the self-generation application before you install, and wait for technical acceptance.
- Install. Enroll the battery in Peak Saver within 14 days of the in-service date if you want the $5,000 battery rebate.
- Send the final inspection documents and paid invoices.
Common questions
Can the Nanaimo loan pay for solar?
Yes. The City of Nanaimo's zero-interest retrofit loan lists solar. You must register with the Home Energy Navigator.
What does Peak Saver ask of my battery?
BC Hydro can draw on it during a few winter peak events, November to March, for up to four hours. You can opt out of events, but opting out of more than half may cost you the seasonal reward.
Can I get the battery rebate without solar?
Yes, but only if you enroll the battery in Peak Saver. Then the battery-only rebate can reach $5,000.
Is the Tesla Powerwall eligible?
No. Tesla batteries get $0 from BC Hydro and CleanBC.
Who can apply?
Owners of single-family homes, duplexes, townhomes and mobile homes connected to BC Hydro's grid.
What to do next
See Nanaimo heat pump rebates and every Nanaimo rebate.
By Sam Menard. Sources, last read October 3, 2026: BC Hydro solar and battery rebates, BC Hydro solar and battery rebate terms, City of Nanaimo zero-interest retrofit loans, BC Hydro ineligible products (Tesla), BC Hydro Peak Saver, Solar radiation, Open-Meteo historical archive 2020 to 2024, Statistics Canada 2021 Census, table 98-10-0233-01. All Nanaimo rebates → Every BC Hydro rebate →